Press Releases

June 29, 2006
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:  Michelle Pintar
Phone:  (414) 431-6104
E-mail:  mpintar@wihumane.org

Dangers to Companion Animals Inside Your Home!

MILWAUKEE ? Some people choose not to have their cat or dog vaccinated for rabies because they don't think their companion animal will ever be exposed to a rabid animal; but this decision can have grave consequences to an unvaccinated animal when a bat gets into your home ? something that happens regularly in Southeastern Wisconsin .

Bats are remarkable little animals that eat countless mosquitoes and provide a lot of benefit to all of us. The vast majority of bats are healthy, but they are at risk for rabies, a virus found in the saliva of infected animals that can be transmitted to companion animals and humans by bites, or possibly by contamination of an open cut. Although bats are typically not aggressive, if your animal has an unfortunate run-in with a bat and is bitten, it could prove to be deadly.

The Wisconsin Humane Society recommends the following tips to protect your dog or cat:

• Have your dog or cat vaccinated early by their veterinarian against rabies. Any animals which come in contact with wild animals are at risk. Make sure your animal receives his or her booster, required every year, or every three years, depending on the type of rabies vaccine used.
• Bat proof your home to reduce your chance of having an unexpected ?visitor:?
• cap your chimney;
• keep your home's roof, eaves and siding in good repair; and
• keep hatches and doorways to your attic tightly sealed. For attic doors, install a door sweep to eliminate a gap under the door or stuff a rolled up towel under the door.

If you or your animals come in contact with a bat, it is very important that you try to safely contain the bat. By releasing the bat, you will never know whether the bat was carrying the rabies virus. That could mean expensive post-rabies exposure shots and the possibility of being ordered by public health officials to euthanize your cat or dog if they are not vaccinated. Contact your local health department about the proper course of action if a bat has entered your home.

Although this disease can prove to be deadly to animals, it is completely preventable with the proper veterinary care. If you have any questions about rabies and wildlife, please call (414) ANIMALS.

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Interview/Photo Opportunity : To schedule an interview with Dr. Zeman, WHS Veterinary Manager and Scott Diehl, Wildlife Manager about bats and rabies, please call Michelle Pintar at (414) 431-6104. A photo opportunity of Scott illustrating how to safely capture a bat is also available.